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CASSIE FELL ON the Hufflepuff sofas with a thud, sighing in exasperation as Cedric smirked to her left.
"You're telling me you actually can't go?" She asked in frustration, running her hands through her hair.
"I told you, Cassie, I've got prefect duties," Cedric said.
"Well, can't they wait!"
"They can wait next Hogsmeade weekend when other prefects are instructed to stay in the castle. But this week, I have to stay." Cedric frowned at her, "You're not going to be alone, y'know. You have other friends." She looked at him as if he was crazy.
"Well yes, but their bloody gits!" She said exasperatedly, before standing up.
"We both know that's not true."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Cassie looked at him pointedly but he raised his hands in defense.
"Get me some cauldron cakes, please?" She sighed at his request,
"Fine, but only because you're forced to stay cooped up in this stuffy old castle." He smiled at her grumbling and watched as she exited the common room. She made her way to the courtyard, waiting for the twins and Lee to go with her to Hogsmead.
"Cassie!" She heard in the distance and turned to see Lee running at her.
"What's gotten into you? You're very excited this morning. " Cassie questioned, looking at Lee quizzically. He shrugged at her,
"Y'know, I'm trying to broaden my nicknames." He said to her seriously.
"Good for you, Lee." She replied in mock seriousness, the pair laughing at each other once they made eye contact.
"Hello, little star," Fred smirked at her angry expression.
"That nickname is not for you." She deadpanned as Fred shrugged at her. "Did I miss something, what is it with the nicknames?"
"Some people want a change of scenery, Cece." George snickered at her angry expression once again.
"Not for you, either!"
"Well let's just go already!" Lee practically dragged her to start walking and the twins followed her laughter.
"So, where are we off to," Fred asked after catching up to them.
"I need to hit Honeydukes because I want sugar quills and Cedric asked for cauldron cakes," Cassie said as she fixed her hair.
"Where is pretty boy Diggory?" George snarked, staring ahead.
"Cedric has prefect duties today and he has to stay with the rest of the students in the castle. He'll be out for the next Hogsmeade trip." Cassie emphasized his name, continuing on her way. They continued on the path to Hogsmeade with light conversation.
"How about we stop at Three Broomsticks first and then decide where to go from there." Lee reasoned and the three nodded, making their way into the bar. Fred walked over to the counter,
"Four Butterbeers, please?" he asked and waited for them while the other three looked for seats.
"Crowded today," Cassie mumbled as her eyes searched for even a tiny table. She pointed at a booth in the corner
"It's getting chillier, innit," Fred said, bringing the butterbeer over to the table. Cassie smiled gratefully as she took it from him, planning to sneak money into his pockets later as he never seemed to accept it whenever he purchased something for her.
"It's October, don't be daft." Cassie scrunched her nose at him to which he did it in return.
"Is anyone excited for the Halloween feast, or is it just me? Lee said excitedly from Fred's side.
"I'm awaiting the Halloween prank." Cassie smiled above the Butterbeer glass, eyeing George beside her. "So, what are you three going to do?" She said excitedly.
"A secret you do not need to know, little Cassiopeia." Fred declared, sipping his drink. George gave her a look as if to say, 'I'll tell you later', and Cassie was content with that.
"Oh, like it's that big of a deal and I'm older than you." She grumbled.
"Cass your birthday's coming up!" George gasped in remembrance.
"Three days..." She muttered into her cup,
"But who's counting." Lee chuckled as she smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
Cassie was very excited for her birthday because she was turning sixteen years old. She learned that in the muggle world, this would have been an incredibly big deal. Either way, the girl was excited. She hoped to have a party without any professors or dementors popping in to stop it.
"I'm just excited," She laughed, "This is the first birthday I'll spend with my dad in five years." The boys nodded their heads in understanding. "So, what are you lot planning for me?" She smirked, at their blank faces. "I'm kidding!"
"Now why would we tell you our plans?" Fred queried.
"As long as there is no troll, basilisk, or dementor present, then all will be well." Cassie clarified.
"I don't think we will be getting rid of dementors anytime soon, let alone three days." Lee frowned at the girl in front of him and she shrugged as a response.
"They may be around for quite some time." She whispered, zoning out into her cup. She swirled her drink around, watching as the foam waded back and forth.
Although her father was an Azkaban prisoner, Cassie had always held a small bit of hope that he was a good person. In her mind, her father, Remus, never would have fallen in love with a monster. It just never added up to her. Cassies thoughts were interrupted by a soft hand on her shoulder, she looked up.
"Are you okay?" George looked down at her from his standing position, and she nodded. "Come on, we're heading out."
